My Mother passed this blessing onto me the other day, and I love it. This really puts it into perspective on those long days when everything seems to go wrong.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.
If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, especially in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.
You are so blessed in ways you may never even know.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Motherhood
I just loved this when I saw it on Tiany's blog and thought it was worth copying so more mothers could see it. There are days when some of the following are challenging but even on the hardest days something always reminds me how very blessed I am to be a Mother! 
Blessed is the mother who makes peace with spilled milk and mud, for of such is the realm of motherhood.
Blessed is the mother who refuses to compare her children with others, for precious onto each is the rhythm of his own growth.
Blessed is the mother who has learned to laugh, for it is the music of the child's world.
Blessed is the mother who can say no without anger, for comforting to the child is the security of a firm decision.
Blessed is the mother who treats her child consistently, for this makes children secure.
Blessed is the mother who is teachable, for knowledge brings understanding and understanding brings love.
Blessed is the mother who loves her children in the midst of a hostile world, for love is the greatest of gifts.
Blessed is the mother who makes peace with spilled milk and mud, for of such is the realm of motherhood.
Blessed is the mother who refuses to compare her children with others, for precious onto each is the rhythm of his own growth.
Blessed is the mother who has learned to laugh, for it is the music of the child's world.
Blessed is the mother who can say no without anger, for comforting to the child is the security of a firm decision.
Blessed is the mother who treats her child consistently, for this makes children secure.
Blessed is the mother who is teachable, for knowledge brings understanding and understanding brings love.
Blessed is the mother who loves her children in the midst of a hostile world, for love is the greatest of gifts.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Update and What We Are Doing!
This year one of the things my teen has really enjoyed doing in English is the program, MOVIES AS LITERATURE by Kathryn and Richard Stout. We have seen lots of classic movies, and he actually looks forward to answering the essay questions! Yes, those of you who know my son, I speak the truth!!! Tonight we watched THE QUIET MAN with John Wayne. I loved it and my son couldn't stop laughing. It led into a great conversation about courtship and the proper treatment of women (not portrayed in the movie, at least in accordance with modern culture). Anyway, I like to share when we hit upon a winner.
As for the rest of the Sweetums, the girls had their annual well check up today, and they both did great. They are perfectly on their growth charts and thriving. We love our kids' doctor! He is so good with adoption issues and helping our Goldilocks (6) feel comfortable despite her past history. As for Tom Sawyer, he was really bummed it wasn't his turn for a check up and complained all the way through until it was time for the shots, LOL .... Oh, the doctor asked my kiddos what they wanted to be when they grow up. Their responses were as follows.
Tom Sawyer (4)- "a 16 year old fire fighter." (He wants to be 16 because he wants to be like his big brother.)
Goldilocks would like to be a UNICORN!! (Hmmm ... I think we are going to have to work on that.)
Little Red Ridinghood (3) would like to be "a sweet baby". (She actually asked me recently if she could get younger on her B-day so that she could be a sweet baby again. You think she enjoyed her babyhood or what?)
As for the rest of the Sweetums, the girls had their annual well check up today, and they both did great. They are perfectly on their growth charts and thriving. We love our kids' doctor! He is so good with adoption issues and helping our Goldilocks (6) feel comfortable despite her past history. As for Tom Sawyer, he was really bummed it wasn't his turn for a check up and complained all the way through until it was time for the shots, LOL .... Oh, the doctor asked my kiddos what they wanted to be when they grow up. Their responses were as follows.
Tom Sawyer (4)- "a 16 year old fire fighter." (He wants to be 16 because he wants to be like his big brother.)
Goldilocks would like to be a UNICORN!! (Hmmm ... I think we are going to have to work on that.)
Little Red Ridinghood (3) would like to be "a sweet baby". (She actually asked me recently if she could get younger on her B-day so that she could be a sweet baby again. You think she enjoyed her babyhood or what?)
Friday, March 16, 2007
Ramblings ...
I was just thinking about socialization and what non-homeschoolers often think about it. How many of us have to struggle not to roll our eyes when someone says, "Aren't you worried about socialization?" Looking back on this week and the many weeks before it, I am amazed that we have time to get any school done with all the socializing we do. Just this morning, in the blink of a few minutes, one lady commented on how sweet and well socialized my kids were, and a nearby person, upon hearing that my children attended preschool at home with Mommy, asked me that age old question about socialization. Actually, I think both women were surprised and impressed. I guess I should mention that at the time my two youngest, ages 3 and 4, were in their gymnastics class (being socialized 
). Oh well, I do hear the socialization question less and less. Perhaps people are learning more as homeschooling is growing in our country.
On the gymnastics topic-- my kids are loving this class. Little Red Ridinghood (3) is doing great forward rolls and is a pro on the balance beam. Tom Sawyer (4) is loving trying out the high bar and learning cartwheels. I am so glad we found this class and plan to continue straight through the summer. I can really see the confidence building in them, and they are as happy as clams when I tell them where we are going.
Goldilocks (6) is also enjoying the new class she is taking. It is an arts and crafts class for homeschoolers, and she loves bringing home her latest creation each week. As for Dickens, our nature loving teen, he has decided to try something that isn't related to animals for once. Oh, he still spends a lot of time volunteering at the regional nature center, but he did take up acting classes this winter. He is doing so well, and we are so proud of him. OK! I am done bragging for today. It is just so great to see our children blossom!
). Oh well, I do hear the socialization question less and less. Perhaps people are learning more as homeschooling is growing in our country.On the gymnastics topic-- my kids are loving this class. Little Red Ridinghood (3) is doing great forward rolls and is a pro on the balance beam. Tom Sawyer (4) is loving trying out the high bar and learning cartwheels. I am so glad we found this class and plan to continue straight through the summer. I can really see the confidence building in them, and they are as happy as clams when I tell them where we are going.
Goldilocks (6) is also enjoying the new class she is taking. It is an arts and crafts class for homeschoolers, and she loves bringing home her latest creation each week. As for Dickens, our nature loving teen, he has decided to try something that isn't related to animals for once. Oh, he still spends a lot of time volunteering at the regional nature center, but he did take up acting classes this winter. He is doing so well, and we are so proud of him. OK! I am done bragging for today. It is just so great to see our children blossom!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Tom Sawyer and the Earthworms
Ok, yesterday my boys, 16 & 4, decided to dig up about 12 earthworms, put them in a plastic container, and make them the 4 year old's pets. I stress the number about 12 because they really aren't sure, could have been a few more or less. Anyway, in the rigors of the day I lost track of where my dear Tom Sawyer had taken his new-found pets.
Fast forward to this morning -- I am lying in bed still asleep when my little boy arrives at my side. Tom Sawyer (4), "Oh, Mom, careful don't rollover on Wormy 1!" Me, "WHAT?!", sitting up really fast. This is a great way to wake up Mom quick! Lo and behold, there was a worm on my pillow. My little boy's sweet face looking up at me said, "Mom, you can have Wormy 1 so that you have a pet too, but you have to be careful when you sleep with him not to squish him."
Where did I get this boy from?!?!?!? As I was about to respond, screams from my daughter (3), who shares a room with ds shattered the morning silence. To make a long story short, he had been up for awhile and had already been playing with Wormies 2-12ish, and they were loose in their shared bedroom!!!! We (or should I say my husband and son) have found most of his little friends and returned them to their own world. Hopefully, there were less worms than the boys thought and all is well that ends well. My dd would like her own room, however. Can't wait to see what the rascals come up with next.
Fast forward to this morning -- I am lying in bed still asleep when my little boy arrives at my side. Tom Sawyer (4), "Oh, Mom, careful don't rollover on Wormy 1!" Me, "WHAT?!", sitting up really fast. This is a great way to wake up Mom quick! Lo and behold, there was a worm on my pillow. My little boy's sweet face looking up at me said, "Mom, you can have Wormy 1 so that you have a pet too, but you have to be careful when you sleep with him not to squish him."
Where did I get this boy from?!?!?!? As I was about to respond, screams from my daughter (3), who shares a room with ds shattered the morning silence. To make a long story short, he had been up for awhile and had already been playing with Wormies 2-12ish, and they were loose in their shared bedroom!!!! We (or should I say my husband and son) have found most of his little friends and returned them to their own world. Hopefully, there were less worms than the boys thought and all is well that ends well. My dd would like her own room, however. Can't wait to see what the rascals come up with next.
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